Escalating Border Tensions: Pakistan and Afghanistan Clash in Deadly Conflict

In a concerning escalation of violence, Pakistani and Afghan border forces engaged in fierce skirmishes over the weekend, marking the deadliest conflict between the neighbors since 2021.

The violence, which erupted on Saturday night, resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with Pakistan reporting the loss of 23 soldiers and Afghanistan countering with nine Taliban fighter fatalities. The clash has also put a temporary stop to border trade, stranding scores of goods-laden vehicles and causing significant economic disruptions.

The skirmish caught the attention of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested his potential involvement in mediating the tension. Discrepancies remain over the scale of the conflict, as both sides claim to have inflicted heavier losses on the other, meanwhile, sticking to their respective narratives about the current state of affairs.

(With inputs from agencies.)